AHU Servicing
Expert Air Handling Unit Servicing for Optimal Indoor Air Quality
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About AHU Servicing
Our comprehensive AHU servicing ensures your air handling units operate at peak energy efficiency while maintaining excellent indoor air quality.
Our AHU services include an inspection of the air handling unit, comprehensive AHU cleaning, and maintenance of all air handling unit components including filters, coils, fans, and controls. Using data-driven approaches, we optimise AHU service schedules based on actual usage rather than arbitrary timeframes, reducing both costs and environmental impact whilst enhancing indoor air quality. By making your AHU or HVAC system more efficient, you can also benefit from enhanced energy conservation and reduced physical and electronic waste.
Regular Air Handling Unit maintenance extends HVAC equipment life, improves energy efficiency, and ensures compliance with indoor air quality standards such as BS EN 15780 for ventilation system cleanliness, BS EN 16798 for ventilation performance, HTM 03-01 in healthcare environments, and guidance from CIBSE and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
AHU Service Benefits
- Improved AHU system efficiency
- Extended ventilation equipment lifespan
- Enhanced indoor air quality
- Compliance with air quality regulations
AHU Upgrade and Fire Damper Fixing in Sussex Science Centre
Objectives
The South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre is an education facility in Chichester, West Sussex, run by a team of volunteers and astronomy enthusiasts. This site, located just off the Chichester Bypass, boasts a 96-seater dome and hosts amazing experiences within it for families.
In 2021 we were contacted by the Science Centre to upgrade the effectiveness of their air filtration and ventilation systems within the dome, due to COVID-19 temporarily shutting down the business. Our client decided it would be a good idea to ensure the air quality within the dome is checked and enhanced while they had some spare time during the pandemic.
Conducting some preliminary tests, we soon discovered that the air within the dome was not circulating much at all, despite the dome's unique ventilation system which should have supplied air from the perforated metal sheets lining the ceiling. Investigating this lack of ventilation further, we discovered a closed fire damper which was blocking the airflow.
Solutions
With COVID-19 at the forefront of everyone's minds at this time, our client wanted an air purification system which would effectively kill bacteria and viruses to keep people safe.
We decided to implement bipolar ionisation technology within their air handling unit (AHU) to keep the air clean. Bipolar ionisation works by creating and releasing oxygen ions which 'attack' pollutants in the air. This is an effective method to increase air quality by reducing the levels of particulate matter, bacteria, virus cells, odorous gases and aerosols, and volatile organic compounds.
Results
Fixing the closed fire damper and upgrading the AHU with bipolar ionisation means that our client has the peace of mind that they are doing everything possible to keep air quality clean. Where children are commonly walking into this dome, it's important to keep indoor air quality high, particularly when COVID-19 was a more considerable health concern. This newly refurbished air ventilation and cleaning system ensures the COVID risk and the pollution from the nearby Chichester Bypass are mitigated as much as possible and so the air becomes safe for everyone.
Challenges
- Large groups of families use this space
- Poor outdoor air quality
- Existing methods ineffective at removing microbial matter
"This venue is incredibly fascinating to work at on account of its unique structure. Contrary to how some spaces circulate air, this space has floor grilles under the chairs which help to extract VOCs from the carpet and keeps pollutants, primarily CO2, to a minimum. The domed ceiling consists of perforated panels which let clean air through whilst also allowing for the night sky to be projected seamlessly onto the inside of the dome. It's a great demonstration of how we can introduce clean air into unconventional spaces via rather unique and novel methods, and it goes to show that if we can have clean air even within this tricky space, we can have clean air anywhere."
Adam Taylor, CEO of ARM Environments
Compliance
Wellbeing
Safety
Related Insights
Why Choose ARM?
ARM Environments brings specialist expertise to AHU servicing, focusing exclusively on indoor air quality in non-residential buildings. Our CEO Adam Taylor chairs the IAQ Group at BESA, positioning us at the forefront of industry standards and best practices.
Unlike general maintenance providers, we understand the critical relationship between AHU performance and indoor air quality, using advanced diagnostics to identify issues before they impact your building.
Our SafeContractor and BESA certifications ensure all servicing meets rigorous safety and quality standards. We provide detailed documentation of all work performed, giving you confidence in your compliance with regulations and evidence of your commitment to occupant wellbeing.
